I have to agree with most of your comments. I've been looking to sell my 1999 RX300 and get a 2025 RX350h but, honestly, I just can't see spending $65,000 on such a unrefined drive. And to the poster who says the Lincoln is just a Ford, of course it is. And the Lexus is just a Toyota!
Having driven Lexus since their introduction in 1990, I must say I'm having a hard time staying with their current offerings.

 

I think also so many are obsessed with the v6 being dropped and getting hybrid system which is very rough and not refined when you get on it. However I would say if you give ICE a chance you will see it is actually a lot more quiet and refined when you need it.
Understand it doesn't get 38mpg, but it is much more quieter and smoother when getting on it from stop to HWY speeds.

 

The Nautilus is also built in China. I would worry about long term reliability.

 

Lincoln quality way worse

 

Also keep in mind for 2026 which may drop soon within 2025 a lot changes to help upon quieting and improving performance. I think we may see that new generation Hybrid hopefully and that if you drove new Camry is super smooth.

 

"ET - phone home". And you though the Lexus master data agreement was worrisome...

 

I hear what you're saying. I have an ICE ES with the V6 as well - when you get "on it" as you say, it makes plenty of noise but it is definitely a smooth experience. The hybrid on the other hand in the RX is also in fact silky smooth, no trans shifts and nearly 40 mpg. The trade off is the buzzy 4 cyl engine when pushed hard. It's all personal preference. I was not a fan of the prior gen V6 in the RX as it was plenty noisy as well when pushed hard, drone and all. For us, the 350h which is my wife's daily driver was the perfect choice.

 

Lexus is just a Toyota! 100% spot on and having owned only one Ford product, I swore I'd never buy another. I'll stick with Toyota.

 

I just ordered my illuminated door sills from them. Their price was the best I could find anywhere and Erik Salgado in the parts dept. was very helpful.

 

This is 100% true, I travel almost every week and I am in different rentals cars all time and as much as some have more technology or even nice to drive. Once I get back to airport into my RX it is a world of difference, as it just so refined compared to other products. I am talking I have BMWs sometimes, and I also own Audi. Still Lexus is always most comfortable and drive is refined. Believe it or not the closet one that gave me that Lexus feel was Hyundai Palisades it drove really nice and luxury brough me back to my old LS430 days.

If you can get over some what outdated tech, and some oldish styling you really have a great product.

 

I haven't owned a Ford for over 40 years so I can't really comment, but I absolutely agree you can't beat Toyota (Lexus) for reliability. Just wish their 4 cylinder products were a little less NVH!

 

OP, before you take delivery of Lincoln, test drive 2026 Model Y Juniper. Deliveries starting in a couple weeks. Remove any pre-conceptions you have about EVs, charging, Tesla etc. The #1 selling car in the world (not #1 selling EV, #1 selling car period) 1.3m units in 2023 and 1.1m units in 2024, just got re-engineered.

Just wake up with a "full tank" every morning, blast past virtually any traffic you come across with a deep AWD electric launch, and not spend a dime on fuel or maintenance, ever. There's so many easter eggs, deletions of mundane tasks, app-controls and security controls that will spoil you and you can never not live without again. It's great to have full time access to the cameras at any time, anywhere on the planet, right from your phone. Someone gets near your car? it'll snitch on them and send you live video right to your phone! wanna talk to people at the crosswalk? turn on the megaphone.

 

Let's first look at subjective points. J D Power initial quality survey Lexus #6 Tesla third worst only beating out two other EV companies Polestar and Rivian. Dependability Lexus #1 Tesla #14. Consumer Reports EV have 79% more mechanical problems than ICE vehicles. WSJ insurance on EV is 50% higher than ICE vehicles. Michelin and Goodyear 50% and 30% faster treadwear.

Now pure personal opinion if you asked 100 people that knew nothing about vehicles which of the two in the pic is the luxury manufacturer 100 would say Lexus. The only thing more unattractive then the exterior of a Model Y is the interior. If a Model Y was 50% off still would not buy.

 

Fred once again makes great points that are undeniable. That's unbiased even though I own two Lexus products.

 

Teslas are some of the ugliest generic looking cars on the road.